A Small Town Girl Exploring the World

Freedom Friday: The Oprah Edition

Happy Friday People….

This week, I crossed an item off of my “bucket list”. The past Wednesday, I had the opportunity to attend a taping of the Oprah Winfrey Show! I will be quite honest with you, I really wasn’t certain if this was ever going to happen, especially with this being her last season. However, I am so glad that it did. 🙂

Again, I was the recipient of a “random act of kindness” ( I must be sowing some good seeds ya’ll 🙂 ). My girlfriend had the bright of idea of trying to get tickets to the Oprah Winfrey Show. The Oprah website sends out notices to enter a lottery of Oprah tickets. My girlfriend is very strategic, so she would forward the notices to each of us to enter the lottery. This would increase the probability of someone from our group being selected for tickets. Well, I have to be honest, I did it about two times as well as everyone in our group except for my girlfriend. After the first couple of times, I just stopped. I just didn’t think I was going to get tickets. Well, a month ago, my girlfriend sends an email saying, “Ya’ll interested?” Reading further, her reservation request was granted Oprah tickets. WOW! Who would have thought?! Turns out, she had been submitting our names for at least six months. So four of us were off to Chicago to attend the Oprah Winfrey Show! Shout out to Aisha for her determination and generosity. We love you girl! 🙂

So, ya’ll know I went into high gear. I had to get an “Oprah” outfit and hairdo. This would be my national debut. I was going to be immortalized on television, so I had to look good! *lol* My wonderful neighbor and aspiring stylist, volunteered to help me. We hit the all the major department stores. We even headed to Georgetown for Fashion’s Night Out. However, no luck. I was getting frustrated and worried. I even had someone tell me based upon chakras, strong colors for Wednesdays are yellow and green. Green happens to be one of my favorite colors (Oprah’s too 🙂 ), but I was running out of time. My Boo, who provides very sound advice, said you probably already have something in your closet. So my neighbor came over, and we rummaged through all my clothes. All I knew was that it had to be bright (the fact sheet that came with tickets recommends bright clothing). I also knew that I wanted to wear either a dress or skirt. I narrowed it down to three looks…turquoise dress, salmon pink dress or green skirt with mustard top. I decided to go with the salmon pink.

So the day finally arrived. I tossed and turned the night before because I didn’t want to oversleep. I was also thrown off by the time change. Check-in was between 7AM and 7:30AM so my neighbor and I left to meet my girlfriend and her bestie. They had arrived at 6:30AM, so they had already made it inside. Once we entered HARPO studios, it really hit me. I was in awe. I looked at all the pictures of Oprah, famous and non-famous guests throughout the years. I was truly inspired by this woman of humble beginnings who seized a moment, an opportunity to become a media mogul and icon. And I truly believe that she wants to empower people so they can ultimately help others. I know there are a lot of people who speculate about Oprah. Is she gay? Is she a christian? Why doesn’t she have any children? First off, that’s none of our business. Second, I was always taught to look at a person’s spirit and the “fruits” they bear. So looking at Oprah, she is a blessed human being, trying to do some good in this world.

Once we went through security and signed our paperwork, we were seated in a waiting room. Since my girlfriend and bestie got their early, they were a part of the first group to be seated in the studio. They also were allowed to have the rest of their party called in to sit with them. So we got pushed to the head of the line to go sit with the rest of our party. We were able to sit right in front of the stage. YES!

So the audience coordinator came out to pump up the crowd and talk to the audience (the DC/ MD area was representin’). We were singing the hook to Usher’s song “OMG”. However our “Os” were for Oprah. 🙂 Then celebrity guest Jenny McCarthy came out to sing and dance to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” with us. (She looked good!) Come to find out, the show was about relationships. After all the pumping and priming, we all sat down to wait for Oprah. Then all of a sudden, “Hello Everyone!” Oprah was in the building. The audience erupted. We couldn’t believe that Oprah was actually in front of us. She sat down in her chair, and was immediately flanked by her make-up artist, studio manager and photographer. She said this was just another day of work. She put on her red-bottomed Louboutin shoes that she only wears while sitting. *lol* Then like that she was on cue introducing her first guest Jenny McCarthy. For the second half of the show, Oprah interviewed Terri McMillan. As my neighbor said, “This is a good show!” I don’t want to tell ya’ll too many details about the show because I don’t know what I signed to enter HARPO studios, but it’s worth watching. I knew I wasn’t going to get a car or trip, but we did receive a copy of Terri McMillian’s recent book, “Getting to Happy.” McMillan also said there will be a movie. All the original cast members have decided to come back except for Whitney. They are still waiting for her response. I am excited to see this film.

After the show, Oprah answered questions about ending the show, eventually moving to California, her new network and the first graduating class of her school in Africa. She is so down-to-earth, and always acknowledges where her blessings come from. Then, my neighbor had an opportunity to get on the mic. He really is one of Oprah’s biggest fans. He sincerely tells Oprah how wonderful a human being she is and how much he loves her. It was very heartfelt. It really made an impact because the producers approached him after the show. They are highlighting Oprah’s Ultimate Fans. They have already contacted him, so we will see what happens. I will keep ya’ll posted! 🙂

ThatKellieGirl at HARPO Studios in Chicago.

When Oprah exited the studio, she walked by giving us high-fives and shaking our hands. When I shook her hand I said to myself, whatever you got let it rub off on me! *lol* I am not sure what all this means in the grand scheme of things. However, I do feel that this experience positively impacted my spirit in a very significant way. I don’t know how it will manifest, but I feel some kind of way. The whole experience reaffirmed to me that each of us are “powerful beyond measure….We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

The show I attended airs on September 28th. I hope I get a cameo! 🙂

Enjoy the weekend everyone. Peace and Blessings!

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I have been on the look out for this movie! I am really excited to see it. Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat became notorious for his graffiti art under the moniker Samo in the late 1970s on the Lower East Side scene, sold his first painting to Deborah Harry for $200, and became best friends with Andy Warhol. In “The Radiant Child“, director Tamra Davis pays homage to her friend in this definitive documentary but also delves into Basquiat as an iconoclast.

Come visit one of America’s 392 national parks on National Public Lands Day tomorrow! All national parks are waiving entrance fees. Here is a list of the national parks in the DC area.

Saturday, September 25

Through out DMV

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The National Book Festival, an annual event held each September on the National Mall, is a celebrating 10 years for the joy of books and reading is sponsored by the Library of Congress and gives attendees the opportunity to visit with more than 70 award-winning authors, illustrators and poets who will talk about and sign their books. National Book Festival Pavilions are set up for Fiction & Mystery, History & Biography, Children & Teens, Poetry, and Home & Family.

Saturday, September 25

National Mall

Between 3rd and 7th streets

10AM-5:30PM

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The Black Girl Project will be screening on Saturday. An interactive “Inside the Director’s Studio” with Aiesha Turman to follow the film. All of the proceeds from the event will go towards The Saartjie Project for programming.

Barracks Row Fall Festival on Capitol Hill will be held on Saturday. During the festival the Military Chefs Culinary Competition will be held, pitting chef teams from the White House and each branch of the armed forces against each other in a timed cooking competition. Don’t miss the final championship round, starting at 2 p.m.

Saturday, September 25

Barracks Row

8th Street, SE between E Street and I Street SE

11AM-5PM

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Words Beats & Life Presents: The DC Premiere of “All The Ladies Say” is a film that highlights the lives of six iconic female street dancers from San Jose, Atlanta, Miami and Chicago, who have carved a niche in the physically challenging, male dominated breakdance world.

Saturday, September 25

Busboys and Poets

2021 14th St NW

5PM – 9PM

Suggested Donation: 5 bucks

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Lil SoSo Productions launches a new concept that returns with a simpler production event. Join us for a stripped down set featuring DMV area artists that perform their original material and then join forces for a special set of duet covers! To celebrate the launch, complimentary light refreshments will be served. Space is limited, early arrival is suggested.

To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15- October 15), The Latino Festival, also known as Fiesta DC, is this weekend. The annual celebration highlighting the Latino culture with a Parade of Nations, a children’s festival, a science fair, a diplomatic pavilion for embassies and consulates, arts & crafts, and international cuisine.

The 13th DC Fashion Week ends on Sunday. The week features its first couture bridal collection, a menswear collection show, and end on a high note on Sunday with an “International Couture Collections Show” at the French Embassy. D.C. Fashion Week brings some of the most talented designers on the planet to the nation’s capital. The week of events will introduce audiences to spring and summer 2011 collections. DC Fashion Week produces runway events twice a year (February/September).

Published by BlueJay MEDIA

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6 comments

Wow, this was a great post.. Thanks so much for sharing! I love Oprah and would LOVE to have a chance to go to her show! This post was so inspirational and I love the way you ended it. Thanks again for writing and sharing it!

I saw the Oprah show you were on! While I was watching it I remembered it was the one you described! I felt proud knowing that you were there, even though I don’t know you personally lol. Still VERY glad that you gad that experience. And the fact that you shared it with us really helps extend the experience to us. Thanks again!

[…] As her show was coming to an end, it has made me even more appreciative of the opportunity to attend her show this last season. And as I walked through the doors of Harpo to this present day, I can’t help but marvel […]

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